The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) is pleased to announce a recreation opportunity for a Gainesville family to enjoy a year’s worth of events, programs, tours and more - at no cost! Now in its fourth year, the Michelle Park Family Recreation Scholarship provides a low- to moderate-income family from Gainesville the opportunity to participate in nature, recreation and cultural activities which are offered by PRCA and other providers in the community, such as the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Arts and the Florida Museum of Natural History. This scholarship was made possible through the generous gift of an anonymous donor.

The award consists of one scholarship valued at $1,500, including a $250 gas gift card, that can be used to enjoy activities such as:

After-school activities and day camps for school breaks and teacher holidays, for children age six–12

Access to the Wellness Center at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Multipurpose Center

Family must meet the criteria of the Alachua County School Board Free or Reduced Lunch Program and

Family must be able to complete 20 volunteer hours during the award year or the following year.

Application packets are available at the Albert “Ray” Massey Westside Recreation Center, Clarence R. Kelly Community Center, Eastside Community Center, MLK Multipurpose Center, T. B. McPherson Center, Porters Community Center and the PRCA Administrative Office, which is located on the third floor of the Thomas Center, Building B. The packets are also available online at http://tinyurl.com/gnvScholarships.

The deadline for scholarship applications is Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. Final scholarship award selection will be made by the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Department’s evaluation team. Applications may be dropped off in person at the Administrative Office, Thomas Center, Building B, Third Floor, Reception Desk, 306 NE Sixth Ave., Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Municipal Minutes is an electronic newsletter for the community. The monthly e-newsletter provides information about upcoming activities, projects and events in the City of Gainesville. For more information about this e-newsletter, please contact the Communications Office at 334-5017.

Come be swept away with medieval magic by volunteering at the 32nd Annual Hoggetowne Medieval Faire. Step back in time at the Alachua County Fairgrounds Saturday, Jan. 27, Sunday, Jan. 28 and Friday, Feb. 2 through Sunday, Feb. 4. Become a part of Gainesville’s rich tradition of community service, while enjoying one of the area’s most highly anticipated events.

Recognizing Florida’s best events, the Florida Festivals & Events Association (FFEA) recently announced the winners of its annual SUNsational Awards during their 23rd annual convention and tradeshow. Four different events produced by the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department were honored with four awards. Jest Fest!, which features world-acclaimed comedy/variety and cirque style entertainment, won first place award for its television advertisement, Hoggetowne Medieval Faire won second place award for its poster, the “Free Fridays” Concert Series won second place award for its Facebook page and the Downtown Festival & Art Show won third place award for its poster.

Municipal Minutes is an electronic newsletter for the community. The monthly e-newsletter provides information about upcoming activities, projects and events in the City of Gainesville. For more information about this e-newsletter, please contact the Communications Office at 334-5017.

Experience a world of medieval magic, where jousting knights, dancing gypsies and historic heroes mingle with visitors at the 31st Annual Hoggetowne Medieval Faire. For two consecutive weekends, Saturday, Jan. 28, Sunday, Jan. 29 and Friday, Feb. 3 through Sunday, Feb. 5, the Alachua County Fairgrounds transforms into a medieval marketplace filled with hundreds of artisans and entertainers. Friday, Feb. 3 is “Discount Friday,” which features reduced-price ticket sales for all guests.

Municipal Minutes is an electronic newsletter for the community. The monthly e-newsletter provides information about upcoming activities, projects and events in the City of Gainesville. For more information about this e-newsletter, please contact the Communications Office at 334-5017.

Come be swept away with medieval magic by volunteering at the 31st Annual Hoggetowne Medieval Faire. Step back in time at the Alachua County Fairgrounds Saturday, Jan. 28, Sunday, Jan. 29 and Friday, Feb. 3 through Sunday, Feb. 5. Become a part of Gainesville’s rich tradition of community service, while enjoying one of the area’s most highly anticipated events.

The success of the faire depends on the commitment and dedication of our volunteers. We need your help to make this year’s event as grand as ever. Volunteer shifts are four hours long, and include a variety of opportunities. Volunteers will take tickets, distribute programs, take surveys, oversee the exhibits in the children’s art and essay contest area, engage with children and their families in the kids kingdom or booth sit while artisans take breaks. Volunteers will receive a one-day pass for free admission to the faire.

Participants of the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire will experience an age of chivalry and magic over the faire’s two consecutive weekends. The winding pathways of Hoggetowne overflow with troupes of actors, musicians and street performers. Crowds cheer for armored knights as they joust on the tournament field, while nine stages of continuous entertainment feature majestic performances of full flight falconry, aerial acrobatics and unbelievable magic acts. In conjunction with this year’s theme of “Eleanor of Aquitaine, Queen of Hearts,” you can join Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the greatest queens in history as she defies the social constraints of her time and forges her own legend! Guests stroll through a medieval marketplace where hundreds of talented artisans demonstrate their time-honored skills and offer the finest medieval wares.

For more information about this volunteer opportunity with the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, contact the City of Gainesville at 352-393-8536 or download an application from www.HoggetowneFaire.com.

The "City Manager’s Biweekly Report to the City Commission" provides information about significant upcoming activities, projects, and meetings in the City of Gainesville over the course of the next two to three weeks. In addition to brief descriptions on each of the upcoming activities, you can click on hyperlinks for more information regarding the presented topic. The February 4-17 edition is now available.

The "City Manager’s Biweekly Report to the City Commission" provides information about significant upcoming activities, projects, and meetings in the City of Gainesville over the course of the next two to three weeks. In addition to brief descriptions on each of the upcoming activities, you can click on hyperlinks for more information regarding the presented topic. The January 21-February 3 edition is now available.